Kedzie and her scoliosis! Where do I even start right now to record this? Things just got a little stickier a few weeks ago. There is a reason for her situation, we may not know it yet, but there are tender mercies all over the place.
"Just wanted to let everyone know that Kedzie will be having back surgery on November 19th. They will fuse her spine and place a rod in it to make her back straight. They don't want to wait any longer for fear that it will simply get worse.
We are doing fine right now. Once again, I know that Heavenly Father loves me because of the people that he has put in my path. We had an amazing nurse today that was just who I needed to help me make decisions. I told her thanks for being my mom for the moment! The PA and the doctor have so much experience with scoliosis surgery. They do around 150 per year and have had one infection in four years.
Kedzie really should only be out of commission for two weeks and then at her pace, head back to school and life as she knows it. She can still dance and swim and she'll be able to spring ski!
The surgery is a lot sooner than I had anticipated, but it will be good to get done and be able to move one. This kid and her love of surgery.
Anyway, just wanted you to know what we will be doing over Thanksgiving! Hanging out with a very cool 9 year old who has a metal rod in her back and an amazing scar to prove it.
Love to all. Em:) "
That's the email that I sent to family and friends on Tuesday, Aug. 19th. We've had so much support in response. People are all ready to take boys and bring in meals and visit. We are truly blessed. We had a picture of how much support we have when Kedzie broke her leg, but that was just preparing us for this next adventure. Two surgeries in one year. Bless Kedzie's heart.
We went to have her final X-ray on her leg on August 2nd and Dr. Albright also took an X-ray of her back as he is could follow her scoliosis as well and we hadn't had an X-ray at children's for over a year. Up in Ft. Collins, her back was between 12-20 degrees depending on the day of the X-ray. The last X-ray was in December. This X-ray showed Kedzie's curve between 51-53 degrees. An extreme change in her curve. Albright immediately connected us to Dr. Erickson's assistant and we got an appointment for the 19th at Children's hospital with the highly reputable doc.
Tender Mercy 1: They called the doc right then and there and we got an appointment before school started and within weeks of the X-ray. #2: when I told Dr. Ferrell about the change in the curve he, a chiropractor, highly praised Dr. Erickson, a surgeon. In the beginning of all of this, we found no support between the two fields and now these men support each other and recommend one another and work together. Thank you!
We met with Ryan, PA, a researcher, Dr. Erickson, a wonderful nurse and the assistant in our two hours at Children's on Tuesday. It was all an amazing and peaceful experience for me.
Ryan explained we had three options...do nothing and let it get worse and let gravity take over and expect breathing problems, etc as an adult. Two, get a brace which he didn't recommend due to the size of her curve and three, surgery.
I didn't loose it, another tender mercy, I was prepared for this answer. And here's why. First off Dr. Farrell had prepared me at our appt, the week before and after he'd seen the X-ray. At first I was thinking maintain and have surgery when she was fifteen, but he explained that they would probably want surgery within the year. Also, I was the primary teacher to Hayley Brooks who just happened to be home from college and willing to go to dinner with Kedzie and I on Saturday, before the appt to discuss all our surgical questions. Hayley was perfect. Kedzie learned that she will still have flexibility and she will love the cold water blanket for her back and she will have her parents take care of her the whole time. It gave her peace of mind. Both these people were put in my path at the exact moment Kedzie and I needed them. What a blessing.
Now, we just wait for surgery. She is taking tap and jazz and we've talked with her teacher. She can go back to dancing whenever the doctor gives her the all clear. They still want her! We have her pre-op appt, four hours, scheduled on veterans day so she doesn't have to miss school. We also found out that she has to have one more appointment with cardiology to get her heart cleared for the surgery. When she was two, they found a "flabby" valve in her heart that we've monitored. I apparently forgot to go in for another check up a few years ago, so we will do that before surgery. The hospital is setting that appointment up for us now. Nice concierge service don't you think?!
Right before school, Kedzie was given a priesthood blessing. Well, we all were give one. Kedzie's talked about her strength and ability to influence people through her challenges. I felt a sense of peace as she was given this blessing. I know that Heavenly Father loves her and will watch out for her. We've already been blessed so much throughout this journey.
One more thing I had to share. My visiting teachers changed this month. Ironically before knowledge of the surgery. Lisa Knabb has a niece going to Dr. Farrell for Scoliosis and Tami Nielson's son had the surgery a few years ago. He had many other challenges, but they both know where I'm coming from and can relate to how I'm feeling. What a blessing. And my old VT, Amy Busch, her daughter has scoliosis as well, so I can help her as I learn about all these things and can share my knowledge. I'm grateful for these three women, so I don't have to be alone.
I also had a chance to call and talk to Hayley Brook's mom, Alison after we found out about surgery and just asked her if I was going to be okay! She said yes! She verbalized everything I was feeling and validated my thoughts and feelings and was very positive about the surgery and experience. I think we really will be okay! Phew.
I'm sure there are some things I've forgotten to write about, but I do know that we are experiencing tender mercies through this journey. I also have more help than I need from people that love and care for us. We are being truly blessed. And Kedzie is so strong internally, I don't give her enough credit. She's going to be great through this surgery and experience.
I do have hopes for her that she will be the first Miss America with a scoliosis scar! Now to just get her a talent!!! Not horseback riding!!!
Now, we just wait for surgery. She is taking tap and jazz and we've talked with her teacher. She can go back to dancing whenever the doctor gives her the all clear. They still want her! We have her pre-op appt, four hours, scheduled on veterans day so she doesn't have to miss school. We also found out that she has to have one more appointment with cardiology to get her heart cleared for the surgery. When she was two, they found a "flabby" valve in her heart that we've monitored. I apparently forgot to go in for another check up a few years ago, so we will do that before surgery. The hospital is setting that appointment up for us now. Nice concierge service don't you think?!
Right before school, Kedzie was given a priesthood blessing. Well, we all were give one. Kedzie's talked about her strength and ability to influence people through her challenges. I felt a sense of peace as she was given this blessing. I know that Heavenly Father loves her and will watch out for her. We've already been blessed so much throughout this journey.
One more thing I had to share. My visiting teachers changed this month. Ironically before knowledge of the surgery. Lisa Knabb has a niece going to Dr. Farrell for Scoliosis and Tami Nielson's son had the surgery a few years ago. He had many other challenges, but they both know where I'm coming from and can relate to how I'm feeling. What a blessing. And my old VT, Amy Busch, her daughter has scoliosis as well, so I can help her as I learn about all these things and can share my knowledge. I'm grateful for these three women, so I don't have to be alone.
I also had a chance to call and talk to Hayley Brook's mom, Alison after we found out about surgery and just asked her if I was going to be okay! She said yes! She verbalized everything I was feeling and validated my thoughts and feelings and was very positive about the surgery and experience. I think we really will be okay! Phew.
I'm sure there are some things I've forgotten to write about, but I do know that we are experiencing tender mercies through this journey. I also have more help than I need from people that love and care for us. We are being truly blessed. And Kedzie is so strong internally, I don't give her enough credit. She's going to be great through this surgery and experience.
I do have hopes for her that she will be the first Miss America with a scoliosis scar! Now to just get her a talent!!! Not horseback riding!!!
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